The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-08-11
Random Thoughts.
j. H. NJ.

Ao 40 pOh oRoUAtal, 40 OelNi oNeSN>e'SA'N "
campaign opens, to look for special
effort, on the part of politicians and
partisan papers, to arouse prejudice,
tempt passion, and create an excite
ment among men that would be ex-
pected to help one party or another.
True, a great deal of the hot-head
style of warfare has been indulged in
during past campaigns, and men have
been aroused almost to state of fren-
zy by the appeals Of journalists and
politicians. The Standard has GER
tainly been in the skirmish line in
every such battle during the last thir-
ty years. Such is not our position or
aim in the present campaign. We
would appeal to the calm reasoning
powers. the practical common sense
of the people, and have nothing to do
with prejudice, save i'll so far as the
Democracy spring the battle.
The people of this country have
paid pretty dearly for their experience
with the Democratic party. Especially
have the people of Ohio learned bitter
lessons of experience along this line.
As each campaign came on, the Dem
ocratic party came up with very fiat
tering promises, and appeals to forget
the past and trust the party for the
future Why forget the past? Be-
cause, upon the party's own admis-
sion, the past had been full of mis-
takes and political shortcomings. Oc-
casionally the people have listened to
the appeals of the Democracy and
given the party control. 1t is in the
light of such consideration on the part
Of the people. and such tenure on the
part Of the Democratic party, that we
must view the political situation to-
day. What has been the result Of the
investment in Democracy? What
has been the return for the trust re-
posed? The promises still keep flow
ing in, where has been solitary at
tempt to redeem one Of these? What
intelligent Democrat can stand up
and say that his party ever kept sim
gle promise made to the people? That
there are many good, conscientious
men in the Democratic party, is fact,
indisputable as it is incomprensible.
But, as a party, where has the faith
been kept with the people?
When, few years ago, the people
of Ohio voted out Foraker and voted
in Hoadly, they expected wonderful
developments Of political wisdom and
official shrewdness and honesty. "Re-
form" was the word. The time went
on, and the cry about Republican
stealing was iterated and reiterated.
The protestations were embellished
meantime with few acts of Demo-
cratic patriotism = such as stufing
ballot-boxes and attempting to create
a revolution in the Legislature -and
people were anxious to know what the
harvest should be. So far as a citizen
outside of official position could see,
there had been no material improve
ment in the condition of things in the
State. When the election came
around, therefore, the people
adopted the good old sui
cidal Democratic cry Of ''turn the
rascals outr' and out they went.
What was the result? An empty
treasury, an immense debt, State In
stitutions source Of expense to the
State, and altogether such a muddle
as only the Democratic party can
make.
In less than two years Gov. Fora
ker's administration has placed the
credit of the State in the front rank,
the Institutions are in good shape, and
everything is running economically
and successfully, and now, under these
conditions, what is the Democratic
cry? Listen, and we'll give the battle
cry of Democracy for 1887, and the
explanation, in very few words:
"Extravagance-too much money in
the Treasury" That is a character
istic Democratic battle cry. There is
just about as much intelligence in it
as you will generally find in a Demo
cratic campaign. The declaration of
Of principles Of that party should read
something like this: "We want Office
and we promise you that no party
can manage a trust worser The
hollow promise comes up, year after
year, and the same dismal and costly
is recorded at the
close Of each Democratic ad-
ministration. The people have
had abundant opportunity for
learning the unfaithfulness and un-
worthiness of the Democratic party.
Shall we go on, trying experiments
and gaining costly experience, or shall
we place in power-or rather keep in
power in this State-a party that has
the best political record known to
history? This is the question that
presents itself for our consideration.
The Republican party points to a
faith we'll kept, record Of probity
and patriotism. The Democratic
party asks us to forget past failures,
and trust hollow promises for the fu-
ture.